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First in Flight
It’ s not everyday that an airline upgrades its First Class product. While many are doing away with first class all together, a handful of premium carriers are still committed to true high fliers, including Cathay Pacific, whose new-look lounge in Hong Kong sets new benchmarks for pre-flight luxury, discovers Nick Walton.
Located in a blissfully quiet corner above Gate 2, and with views across the apron, Cathay Pacific’ s The Wing lounge has been an institution since its launch in 1998. An extensive renovation at the hands of world-renowned architects Foster + Partners, who also created sister lounge The Cabin, has left the best – a new First Class setting – till last.
Guests are greeted at ground level by cheerful – if not a little frazzled – staff who, on the morning of our visit, do well to keep up with the morning rush of business and first class passengers and top-tire frequent fliers.
Accessing the First Class section is a little confusing at first – you need to pass through the Business Class lounge first when accessing from the gate level, but a new welcome experience that has arriving guests presented with a
chilled flute of champagne is a fitting first step.
The chic, decidedly-sophisticated 1,697sqm space, which is dressed in Nero Marquina marble and eucalyptus wood, has a little something for everyone; The Wing’ s iconic eatery The Haven has been expanded to more than double its size, offering both buffets and an extensive a la carte menu. On my visit, it is packed to capacity with brunching business travellers.
Beyond, the lounge opens up with an equally elegant marble full-service cocktail bar serving up fresh juices, coffee and even a great martini. If pre-flight bubbles are more your thing, a new Champagne Bar, serving chilled Moet & Chandon, can be found tucked into one corner, although it wasn’ t set up on the morning of our visit. Both the cocktail bar and Champagne Bar are wreathed by stylish lounge suites and Cathay’ s own Solus Chairs, which were designed by Fosters + Partners and are hand-made in Italy by Poltrona Frau.
Where the First Class section really starts to earn its keep is with The Cabana, a collection of five luxurious suites, each of which feature a spacious shower, bath tub and day bed, offering guests on the road a truly private retreat. In addition to the bath suites, there are also 12 separate shower suites ideally suited for transiting passengers or those ending a long day with an even longer flight.
Other unique spaces include The Reading Room, where guests have access to a wide range of international magazines and newspapers, and The IT Zone, which is equipped with PCs, high speed internet and individual printers. www. cathaypacific. com www. jetsetter. hk